As part of our series of work looking back on the 2012 Paralympics, Sarah Lantsbury, Director of Operations and Anna McEwen, CEO at Headway East London, have spoken to us about the 2012 Paralympics, how Headway East London was involved, and what impact the games had on the organisation and its beneficiaries, back then and now.

What does your organisation do? Headway East London is a charity supporting people affected by brain injury. Working across 13 London boroughs we offer specialist support and services for survivors and their family. We offer therapies, advocacy, family support and community support work alongside our day service: a community venue where people can make the most of their abilities and interests. We also promote awareness and understanding of brain injury by providing information to the public, and offering training to university students, professionals, and businesses. Our vision is that brain injury survivors experience a world which is accessible to them, and where their contributions are valued and celebrated.

Can you share any memories from the 2012 Paralympics, specifically on how your organisation and your beneficiaries were involved? Headway East London entered the ballot for free tickets at the Paralympic games in 2012. We were lucky enough to receive over 30 free tickets to various events. Members of the Day Service enjoyed outings supported by the Day Service staff and volunteers to swimming events, wheelchair basketball (men’s and women’s), and 7-a-side football. Having members of various nationalities, it gave some an opportunity to cheer on their national teams, something they rarely get to do. Football is one of the most talked about subjects at Headway East London so having the opportunity to watch this at such a prestigious event, with brain injury survivors playing for their national teams, was especially inspiring and members were driven to engage more in their therapy sessions as a result.

The outings to these events were easy to navigate with so much support on public transport and at the Olympic Park because of the games taking place. It can be difficult to manage outings in London for people with disabilities, especially with limited resources. Opportunities like this give our members a chance to engage with their local community and enjoy some of the things that can be difficult to access.

What impact did the Paralympics have on your organisation, your beneficiaries and your sector (back then and now)? As the Olympic and Paralympic games took place in Newham, one of our neighbouring boroughs and a borough within our catchment area, members who are residents of this area have seen and benefitted from a complete regeneration of their area. With more accessible transport links, and sports and leisure facilities, this has meant a once unused area of East London has been transformed. Headway East London have made regular use of the Olympic swimming pool (offering good accessibility in the pool and changing rooms). We also regularly attend all ability cycling club sessions run by Bikeworks which take place in the Olympic Park.

For the sector, the creation of legacy funds because of the games gives charities and community groups the chance to access funds to run projects and research that enable people to participate in a wide variety of activities from physical activity to the arts and volunteering.

Do you have anything to add about any work done with ELBA recently, or in the past decade? Or any work you’re planning to do going forward? We have recently redeveloped a new link with ELBA and have been benefitting from the support on offer to charities in East London.  ELBA helped us to find some brilliant staff from Accenture to facilitate a recent staff development day focusing on developing a behaviour framework. This is not something we would have been able to do without the pro bono support and introductions from ELBA. Some of our managers are also currently benefiting from the mentoring programme and have accessed other training sessions.  We’re really grateful for the support and range of offers from ELBA that help small charities like us to offer opportunities for learning and development for our staff.